By Kabiru Dogon Daji
Birnin Kebbi
Three people were confirmed dead while 14 sustained various degrees of injuries from police gun shots they received following an outbreak of law and order in the commercial city of Jega town in Kebbi state.
Speaking with newsmen at the Jega General Hospital, the state Commissioner of Police, Ishiaku Barau Ningi, explained that the incident occurred as a result of assassination of a businessman, Alhaji Garba Dankane Jega, on Saturday at about 7:30pm.
He further disclosed that the funeral arrangements was scheduled to took place on the early hours of Sunday, but upon returning from the cemetery, the youths started shouting and advancing to the police station demanding for the removal of the DPO, whom they accused of laxity and for not responding on time during the incident.
Following the argument, the mob then set ablaze two police quarters.
Ningi, added that the police had no option than to protect themselves and further escalation of the uprising, stressing that the three persons died by stray bullets.
But police are trained to shoot only on the kneels in such a situation”
He, however, announced the immediate transfer of the Jega Divisional Police Officer, ASP Aliyu Yusuf as the situation returned to normalcy in the area.
The Council Chairman of Jega local government, Alhaji Haruna Haruna MaiJega, condemned the incident, saying: “We have been known for tolerance, hospitality and as well law abiding, but this is just an unfortunate incident.”
A victim, who was shot on the leg, Aliyu Buhari, said he was just passing by on a motorcycle when a stray bullet hit with him.